The base game of Altiplano is a “bag builder”: resources collected get placed in each player’s individual bag, drawn each turn and used so players can do a host of actions to score the most points and win. (For those unfamiliar with the original game, you can “flashback” to our Spring 2018 review of Altiplano by clicking on the link below.) Altiplano: The Traveler adds a few more things to consider in your travels to victory in the form of Event cards, opals, asset cards and The Traveler himself!

At the start of each round, before any resources are drawn, one Event card is revealed. Generally, Events are beneficial bestowing goods upon players, opening up another planning space, allowing for goods not usually sold to be sold, permitting advancement on the road and more. Many of these cards also have an effect on The Traveler by placing resources in his trading area which may be obtained by using the new resource of the game: opals. (More on that later.)

All players receive a “traveler strip”, an auxiliary board which ties in to The Traveler and placed above the players’ action boards. Like the standard board, there is room for resource placement there. There is also a “trading point”, a new and additional location, placed in the center of the play area where players put their matching color cubes (included in the expansion) on a section (facing them) to mark their own “trade area” with one area reserved for The Traveler. Once players have placed their pawns on the various areas of the game, the white Traveler pawn, in keeping with the “travelling” theme, is placed on the road location. Play continues as normal unless you want to interact with The Traveler.

To interact with The Traveler, you need to be at the same location. (At the end of each round, The Traveler moves clockwise to the next UNOCCUPIED location.) Then, you may take several new actions.

Buy Opals – One or more goods from your traveler strip get placed into your container. For each good spent, you get 1 opal.

Buy an Asset – Assets come in two levels, the first level being available immediately; the second becoming available when triggered by an Event later in the game. These assets cost 1 good (the type depending on the icon on the card and shown on the traveler strip). Assets are all good and grant you all sorts of advantages and bonuses including money and Victory Points which is why no more than 1 asset may be bought each turn. Goods used to pay for assets are placed in that player’s TRADING area.

Buy a Good – Using opals (1 or 2 depending on the good), a player may buy ONE good from the trading area, either from another player OR The Traveler. (You may NEVER trade with yourself.) Opals spent are returned to supply. At the end of the game, every 2 opals held by a player are worth 1 Victory Point.

In the base game, resources needed, for one reason or another, can run out and someone can feel handcuffed by the lack of a critical resource. With The Traveler and trading option, players now have another avenue available to collect a vital resource. By using a plentiful good to buy an opal to give you a chance to obtain a rarer and more essential good (for you) in an exchange, a player can circumvent that condition. This rewards shrewd trading. Because trading is now so important, the expansion works best with more players so that a (potentially) wider selection of resources will be in play. But even if you cannot get the particular resource you have in mind, opals do convert to Victory Points at the end of the game so they still have value. While the expansion allows you to play with just the Event cards if you wish, in our experience, both Events and The Traveler are worthwhile additions to help you get the most out of an excellent game.

Far too often, game expansions do not add as much to the original as promised. Fortunately, in this case, Altiplano: The Traveler makes a significant contribution to the game dynamics. Event cards are just fun, mainly because they are not painful and help players implement their strategy, often giving it a much needed boost. Meanwhile, the Traveler presents a whole new facet to the game. If you like Altiplano, then adding Altiplano: The Traveler is a trip worth taking!- – – – – – — Herb Levy

Other Winter 2019 GA Report Articles

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Reviewed by Chris Wray JUST ONE (Repos Production, 3 to 7 players, ages 8 and up, 20 minutes; about $20) Just One is a cooperative party game by Ludovic Roudy and Bruno Sautter for 3-7 players. Released at Essen 2018, the game seemed to immediately catch fire among word game ...Read More

Reviewed by Herb Levy KOI (Smirk & Dagger Games, 1 to 4 players, ages 10 and up, 40-60 minutes; $39.95) To relax, to feel tranquility wash over you like a wave over sand, what a wonderful feeling! Wonderful except when you are a koi fish seeking a delicious meal of ...Read More

Reviewed by Joe Huber LIFT OFF (Hans im Gluck/Z-Man Games, 2 to 4 players, ages 12 and up, 60-90 minutes; $59.99) For me, one of the joys of the board game hobby is looking through the new releases for Essen. It’s really a unique pleasure – the only other convention ...Read More

Reviewed by Herb Levy LINCOLN (PSC Games/Worthington Games, 2 players, ages 14 and up, 60-120 minutes; $45) One of the most popular historical themes for games is the American Civil War. This conflict split the United States of America in two with the Union forces of the North thrust into ...Read More

Reviewed by Kevin Whitmore OBSESSION (Kayenta Games, 1 to 4 players, ages 13 and up, 30-90 minutes; $54) Obsession is an enjoyable new game released in 2018 by first-time author Dan Hallagan and published by his own Kayenta Publishing company. Obsession is a large boxed game, similar in size to ...Read More

Reviewed by Herb Levy RAILROAD RIVALS (Forbidden Games, 1 to 5 players, ages 8 and up, 45-60 minutes; $49.99) One of the factors accounting for the tremendous growth of the United States during the 19th century was the rise of railroads. This method of transportation was crucial in developing the ...Read More

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